Gabriel stood frozen, his chest tight, as Martha’s words sank in. The thought of her wandering somewhere alone, upset, and unreachable made his chest ache in a way he hated to admit. His pride fought with his concern, but the worry was there, burning quietly, impossibly.
He shoved his phone into his pocket with sharp anger. He wanted to call her again, to demand that she pick up, to make her explain why she had denied him in front of Aria. Why she had made him look foolish, hurt, humiliated. He knew she owed him an explanation. She could not just walk away after that, not without reason.
Martha watched him quietly, her hands clasped in front of her. She did not speak, but her eyes were full of worry, knowing that he was angry and that the anger was heavier than usual. Gabriel finally bro
